If it works in hospitals, why can the greenhouse horticulture sector also not benefit from ionization? That baffles Inventor Aad van der Starre. Google this Dutchman's name, and news reports will immediately pop up from all sorts of sectors. Aad's company, Freshlight's unique ionization innovations have been used successfully for years. Internationally, too. Yet, horticulture still lags. Add and sales consultants Ron Arends and Hans Smaal, two acquaintances in that sector, want to change that.
"Growers must adjust to circumstances and find alternatives," says Ron. He knows of large growers in North America and Mexico who use Aad's methods, yet Dutch growers are reluctant, even conservative.
Aad van der Starre.
Not new
Ionization is nothing new. It happens in nature, for example, when lightning or friction generates static electricity. In short, ionization changes a dust particle's electrical charge. This phenomenon may be somewhat elusive for a layperson, especially regarding air purification.
Some growers in the Netherlands are already familiar with Freshlight's work. One is currently using the technique to ionize his water system. "Their green basin was crystal clear within one week. It was as if that grower saw water burning," Aad begins with a laugh. "Ionization also removes botrytis or fusariums from the air. That's not visible, but the dirtier the air, the louder our device - which purifies the air through ionization - crackles. By adding a negative charge, we convert a fungus or virus, like the tomato mosaic virus' positive charge."
Add considers it vital that independent scientific institutions extensively test and approve his inventions. "Few companies have as well certified. That gives me peace of mind, too," he says. You can find all these certificates on the company's website.
Water systems using ionization.
No ozone
About five years ago, the business took its first steps into the horticultural sector. "A grower investing in lighting had to choose between installing a new generator or our energy-saving LED lights. He chose the latter." With 35 years of experience in other sectors, Freshlight is not 'new,' though Aad, Ron, and Hans agree that the company is still unfamiliar to many in greenhouse horticulture.
Aad based his innovations on beta-negative, non-ferrous ionization. Unlike standard ionization, it releases no ozone. That is precisely the argument they face, say the sales consultants. "That's unjustified," Aad firmly believes. You can use his inventions to purify air and water.
Full spectrum LED
The company's initial step into horticulture was with lights, though. Freshlight makes full-spectrum LED lamps with integrated ionization. "Full spectrum daylight aids the calcium-phosphorus link. In animal husbandry, that helps strengthen bones. In horticulture, it gives strong crops."
Delve a little deeper into the spectrum, and Aad points out that there are "slightly more UV-A and UV-B peaks" before "switching on" and then a full sunlight spectrum. "Our spectrum ends with a drawn-out red light peak. To be exact, far-red and infrared light between 780-855 nanometers," he explains. Aad is sometimes asked what that is for. "It compensates for an LED's 'cold light.' Our lamps are between 97 and 99.3% efficient. So, almost all the energy you use is converted into light."
FreshLight's LED lights
Practical results
Dutch nurseries and independent research companies are currently testing Freshlight's ionization techniques. Freshlight manufactures everything, whether it be lamps with ionization, separate ionization modules to hang in the greenhouse, or methods to use ionization in water systems. "Growers want to know something works," says Ron.
"That makes sense. We've been showing for years that it does, with test reports and practical results. That's why we say: dare to take that step, too," he concludes. Then growers can 'see water burning' and hear air crackling. But, above all, they benefit from cleaner air, water, and full spectrum LED light.
For more information:
Freshlight
Ron Arends
Tel.: + 31 (0) 641 687 069
Email: [email protected]
Hans Smaal
Tel.: +31 (0) 651 664 062
Email: [email protected]
www.freshlight.eu